Eric S. Holton of Gardnerville ID'd in North Lake Tahoe truck ramp accident

The deceased driver of the commercial truck that crashed through the runaway ramp at Mount Rose Highway near Incline Village on Monday has been identified as Eric S. Holton, 31 of Gardnerville.
Nevada Highway Patrol troopers were dispatched at 2:48 p.m. to the accident on State Route 431, approximately one-half mile east of State Route 28, near Incline Village. The vehicle involved was a 2006 gray Freightliner truck tractor pulling a 1989 flat bed trailer transporting composite decking materials traveling westbound on the two-lane highway.

For reasons still being investigated, Mr. Holton utilized the truck ramp in an effort to stop his vehicle. The truck and trailer stopped near the termination point of the ramp; however, the entire load of building materials shifted forward crushing the entire cab resulting in fatal injuries to Holton. No other vehicles were involved in this tragedy.

Emergency responders from the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District spent several hours removing the displaced cargo from the truck where they extricated Mr. Holton.

Inspectors from the Nevada Highway Patrol-Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Section were at the site for over 8 hours last evening performing an inspection of the big rig to try and determine what mechanical deficiencies or contributing factors could be identified. Their findings will be a part of the final report. Trooper Chris Kelly of the NHP- Major Accident Investigation Team or M.A.I.T. is the lead investigator of this tragedy. Witnesses to the event, to include anyone who may have seen a driving pattern of the truck prior to utilizing the ramp, are encouraged to contact him at (775) 687-0400 regarding case number NHP-120423450.

As with all fatality crashes assigned to the NHP-Major Accident Investigation Team, this case will most likely take at least 30 days until it is completely investigated.

— Trooper Chuck Allen, Public Information Officer